The main thing that impresses many people about the victory of Adwa is that it is a victory of one African nation over a European colonial power. Still being one of the poor and backward African countries, the situation for the people and the entire nation at the moment was not a bed of roses.
Historical records show that they people fought the war in spite of many sudden challenges like drought, discord between regional lords, among others. For instance, four years before the battle of Adwa, there was a catastrophic drought in Ethiopia which caused loss on significant portion of the country’s population. In addition, the central government did not have officially equipped defense force. The army was drawn from the ordinary people. The society supported to the travelers by providing all necessary materials for the journey including food, logistics and weapon.
The victory was unthinkable without all Ethiopians participation and support. Different local lords from Tigray, Gojam, Lasta, and Southern Ethiopia were not in good terms with Emperor Menelik II before the war. But, towards the advent of the war, those kings decided to keep aside their differences and came to terms with Emperor Menelik II and stood with their national army for their independence. This indicated that Ethiopians have a common and shared vision on their national interest and Ethiopian freedom.
They leave their internal tensions and group interest for political power straggle aside and stand together against their enemy for unity, freedom and national security. During his declaration of war, even Emperor Menelik urged Ethiopians “stand for your country by force, by contributing resource, and praying”, he said. On the battle, from the Ethiopian side historians put the numbers of fighters from 75,000 up to 120,000 which were driven from all corners of the country. Almost all of the army participated on the battle were farmers. Yet, behind these patriots who went to fight the enemy, every Ethiopian citizen has contributed its own role.
Every Ethiopian had contributed its own role before and during the battle of Adwa and the victory of Adwa is the victory of all Ethiopians, Girmay Halefom, History & Heritage Management and Social Anthropology Lecturer with Axum University says. All Ethiopians from all corners of the country without any language, ethnicity, religion, political difference joined the battle. For this mobilization, journey and logistics the role of the public was source of strength and the main part of the campaign.
Although few messengers were sent to local leaders to Harar and Western Ethiopia directly by the Emperor, majority of the information was transmitted throughout the country by the people. Not only that, Emperor Menelik II declared arms tax to collect bullets and guns for the preparation of the battle instead of other customs, although it was not obligatory. Hence, the people willingly paid tax in the form of arms like rifles and bullet as per their capacity to afford, according to Girmay.
Specially in providing food and logistics to the army, initially when the war was declared by Emperor Menelik II, he declared to all travelers to take their own food for 10 days to meet at Were Ilu, the place where the Eastern and Central part of the country’s patriots met the Emperor’s army. At that time the journey was only in foot and traditional transportation like Horse and Mule. Hence, 10 day’s food reservation is nothing for months’ traveler, he said. The people of Ethiopia treated the patriots as their family by providing food, pepper, salt, Legume and animals like goat and sheep on its journey.
Generally, since the beginning up to its destination in Adwa, the people involved in the battle by guiding the routes to the battle field, financing the fighters … etc. Meanwhile, the society was source of information to the National Army. The society was direction indicator based on the nature of the area, showing strategic areas and enemy settlement places.
Bashay Awalom Haregot and Desta Gebreegziabiher were among the intelligence and secret information providers to the Emperor’s Army collaborating with the people of the area which was among the turning point for the victory. Italian troops were reached up to Amba Alagie Mountain and the people fought hard to check the expansion of enemy to the country before the national army lead by the Emperor reached there.
Menelik Fantahun, Tour Adwa Six Coordinator with the motto “Peace, Love, Unity for Ethiopia” also said that the victory of Adwa is not only the victory of the army. There is no doubt that the patriotic fighters made a miraculous and unbelievable victory. Still the people of Ethiopia were the base for the victory.
For Menelik, the people who were at home were also responsible to protect the security of every area, the wellbeing of patriots’ family and their home and fulfilling other social responsibilities. Supporting patriots’ family to tide them over the six months long operation was a big national role. In provision of food, in Wore Ilu around 117,000 patriots gathered to meet with Emperor Menelik. At this time the dwellers of the area were the source of food specially the Wollo Administration of Ras Mikael was fulfilled its responsibility in feeding and supporting the army.
Next in Mersa, Korem, Ambalaje, Mekelle, Adwa up to the last minute of the victory, every Ethiopian were contributed their role for the victory. That is why we say “victory of Adwa is symbol of unity and togetherness for Ethiopians”, Menelik said. “Beyond the victory the uniqueness of Adwa was that all Ethiopians were stand together for unity and for their national security during that backward time without any modern communication system”, Menelik said.
Local kings who were in disagreement with Emperor Menelik II also stood together for national interest. Both Menelik and Girmay said that our forefathers were not compromise with national interest and that public feeling was the source of the victory of Adwa. When Ethiopians united, no power can defeat them.
According to them, Ethiopians have developed the culture of “unity is strength” during that generation. The current generation should learn lessons from the past patriotic generation about national feeling. Adwa is the turning point for many political movements, strength for black freedom fighters and source of equality for all humans. It is the historic event where the European might has turned back.
Herald March 2/2019
BY DARGIE KAHSAY
